This is from Job 14:14, which reads as follows:

‘ If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. ‘

It is clear that during Job’s time, there was not yet the revelation of Jesus and the understanding that if a person receives Him into their heart, they can spend eternity in the Kingdom with Him and the Father, along with all who have received His name.

Or perhaps Job did have a revelation of Jesus. Despite facing so many trials and suffering in his life, he had faith in the Father, believing that when his earthly life ended, he had hope in the Father and in Jesus Christ. Not only for his own redemption but also for being with them in eternal life.

Yes, this is the same Job who was so discouraged in chapter 14 and, as we read in verse 14:14, had questions about his death and saw his life as hopeless. In Job 19:25-27, he says the following:

’25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

  26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

  27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.’

What a transition for Job, from doubt to conviction! I believe he had faith in God from the beginning, but during his time of testing, he became deeply discouraged. As we see in Isaiah 40:31:

’31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’

Job’s strength was also renewed, and while there might not have been immediate visible signs of improvement in his physical condition, I mean that his health did not improve, his friends did not speak more kindly to him. However, his spirit regained strength. Chapter 19 records these wonderful and hopeful lines.

In our present time, in the New Testament, we also have to go through many trials – sickness, deprivation, the loss of loved ones, and the list can seem endless. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said:

’25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

  26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’

We already know, as Job did in his time, that we have eternal life in Jesus Christ. Moreover, He has also taken away our illnesses, as we read in Isaiah 53:4-5:

‘4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

  5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.’

But we have received more than that from Him. Just read 2 Corinthians 8:9:

‘9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.’

According to this, you and I do not need to be sick, we do not need to be poor. Why should we behave like that, especially when Matthew 6:28-34 makes it clear to us:

’28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

  29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

  30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

  31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

  32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

  33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.’

When Jesus said this to you and us:

‘John 14:13-18

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

  14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

  15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

  16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

  17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

  18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.’

These promises are wonderful, both from our Father and from Jesus Christ. However, there is also a condition for all these, as we can see in John 14:15, but look at how difficult it is for us to keep this!

’Matthew 11:28-30

 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

  30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’